Under spousal sponsorship program, Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their married spouse to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. The following are the eligibility criteria for the sponsor:​​

1. Must be at least 18 years old
2. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
3. Must make a formal commitment to become financially responsible (Undertaking) for the married spouse
4. Must reside in Canada

• if you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident
• you cannot sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada

1. Must not be married to someone other than the sponsored person (principal applicant)
2. Must be legally married (opposite-sex or same-sex marriage)
3. Marriage must be legally recognized both in the country that issued the marriage certificate and Canada
4. Prove that you are not receiving social assistance unless on disability
5. Telephone marriages, proxy marriages and similar marriages where one or both spouses were not physically present at the ceremony are recognized as legal marriages by Immigration Canada

​Government of Canada Website Link:

1. https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp